'Hit it off immediately': How Serena Williams became one of Meghan's closest friends

From Beyonce to Elton John, the Duchess of Sussex has gained plenty of famous friends since she became a royal in 2018.

However, one of Meghan's nearest and dearest celebrity pals came into her life long before Prince Harry did: Serena Williams.

The duchess and the tennis icon have been mates for a decade now, and remain as close as ever.

Just recently, she shared a video of Williams playing with her daughter Princess Lilibet at the Sussexes' Montecito home.

READ MORE: Meghan's friendship with Beyoncé began with an Instagram post

How they met

The two women originally crossed paths at the 2010 Super Bowl, but became close friends in 2014 when they were brought together once again.

In February that year, they met again at the Super Bowl in New York, and played together in a celebrity sports event, DirecTV Beach Bowl, the following day.

They reflected on these encounters when Williams appeared on Meghan's podcast Archetypes in 2022.

READ MORE: 'Not bloody likely': How Princess Anne evaded a kidnap attempt

READ MORE: Calendar clash forced King Charles to reschedule his own wedding

"I show up and I see you walking toward someone," the duchess recalled to Williams.

"I remember thinking, 'Oh my gosh, who is Serena Williams going to talk to?' I looked behind me and when I turned around, you were there right in front of me."

Recalled how they became "fast friends", William added, "We have a lot in common."

Meghan, who was starring on Suits at the time, also shared her memories of her first encounters with Williams on her lifestyle blog The Tig.

"We hit it off immediately, taking pictures, laughing through the flag football game we were both playing in, and chatting not about tennis or acting, but about all the good old fashioned girly stuff," she wrote.

"So began our friendship."

'She quickly became a confidante'

Meghan said their bond was cemented by their "belief in exceeding expectations" – along with a shared love for fashion and hot sauces.

"She quickly became a confidante I would text when I was travelling, the friend I would rally around for her tennis matches, and the down to earth chick I was able to grab lunch with just a couple weeks ago in Toronto," Meghan said.

Later in 2014, the actress attended Williams' US Open final, which she won. It was the first of many times Meghan would be spotted courtside at one of her friend's games.

Each other's cheerleader

The two women have been vocal in their support of one another through the years.

While her personal social media accounts were still active, Meghan often celebrated Williams' tennis achievements and other career ventures with public messages.

She also attended Williams' clothing line launch at New York Fashion Week, and later wore one of her designs for a royal engagement.

"She couldn't be a better friend to me. Low moments, high moments, she's always there and that's all I want to be to her," Williams once said of Meghan's support.

Meanwhile, the athlete has publicly praised Meghan for royal ventures including her Hubb kitchen cookbook, and has spoken out in support of her friend numerous times in the midst of public scrutiny.

Following Harry and Meghan's explosive Oprah interview in 2021, Williams described Meghan as a "selfless friend" who "leads by example with empathy and compassion".

"She teaches me every day what is means to be truly noble. Her words illustrate the pain and cruelty she's experienced," she said.

View gallery

Meghan's life on Instagram: all her best posts so far

A royal shift

Marrying a prince and becoming one of the world's most famous women was always going to impact Meghan's friendships.

However, Williams has remained steadfastly in her corner over the years.

Recalling the early days of her friend's relationship with Prince Harry, the athlete said she offered Meghan some advice: "I told her, 'You've got to be who you are, Meghan. You can't hide'."

In 2018, Williams attended the royal couple's wedding at Windsor Castle with husband Alexis Ohanian.

Proving her new royal life wasn't going to keep her from her inner circle, Meghan cheered on Williams at Wimbledon just weeks later.

Despite living on two different continents, the pair have made plenty of effort to be there for one another.

In early 2019, Williams joined a small group of A-list guests at the duchess' baby shower in New York, which she reportedly planned.

Months later, after she welcomed son Archie, Meghan flew from London to New York and back in a day to cheer her friend on in the US Open final.

"That's just one of the many things that she does for me," Williams said of the gesture.

"I call her, text her anytime, crying, upset – she's always there. Doesn't matter what she's going through, she just sets time away."

In 2022, the two women delighted fans with a candid conversation on Meghan's podcast Archtypes, touching on their experiences as mothers and their careers.

"Our friendship is still exactly the same," Williams said in a 2018 interview, speaking of her friend's new life as a royal.

"We always have supported each other, just been there for each other through a lot."

That's one hell of a love story.